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Line 157: − + − Foreign policy under the [[Obama Administration]] has an unknown or meaningless agenda and Clinton's role is shrouded in doubt. [[John Kerry]] recently returned from a diplomatic mission to [[Afghanistan]] and briefed Obama. Questions arose of Kerry replacing Clinton as Secretary of State, which he denied. <ref>[http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2009/10/22/secretary-kerry-senator-assures-afghan-mission-clintons-guidance/ Secretary Kerry? Senator Assures Afghan Mission Conducted Under Clinton's Guidance, FoxNews.com, October 22, 2009]</ref> It is typical for left of center politicians to pass the blame when criticized. Hillary Clinton was asked of her role and she replied with blaming the past administration with a policy she inherited. <ref>[http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2009/10/06/eveningnews/main5367884.shtml Hillary Clinton Interview Full Transcript, CBS News, October 6, 2009]</ref>+ + − + + + + +
Hillary Rodham Clinton (view source)
Revision as of 16:10, December 6, 2009
, 16:10, December 6, 2009→Inept Foreign Policy: update
In addition, a U.S. senator flew to Burma to bargain for the release of yet another American. Also, envoys of the reclusive North Korean regime have come to the U.S. for a meeting privately with New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson. All this has America wondering if Hillary has been marginalized in her Obama Administration role.
In addition, a U.S. senator flew to Burma to bargain for the release of yet another American. Also, envoys of the reclusive North Korean regime have come to the U.S. for a meeting privately with New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson. All this has America wondering if Hillary has been marginalized in her Obama Administration role.
===Inept Foreign Policy===
===Foreign Policy===
====Africa====
Clinton went to Africa to demonstrate the administration is giving Africa a higher priority than usual. Clinton has long been outspoken on causes like development, health, poverty, and gender violence. Her first stop was [[Kenya]], where the U.S. policy is to stabilize the political situation which has been on the brink of civil war. Also important is economic development, with a continentwide economic conference. Under Bill Clinton the "African Growth and Opportunity Act" expanded the number of tariff-free goods sub-Saharan countries could export to the United States. Kenya is an economic engine in eastern Africa, and needs encouragement to seek economic growth and leadership rather than risk an ethnic civil war.
In November 2009, Clinton finally took a foreign policy initiative in the highly sensitive Palestine-Israeli peace process. However, she offended the Palestinians by praising Israel for offering to curb its settlement-building program in the [[West Bank]]. <ref>[http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2009/11/01/palestinians-accuse-clinton-undermining-peace-talks-shift-settlements/ Palestinians Accuse Clinton of Undermining Peace Talks With Shift on Settlements, FoxNews, November 1, 2009]</ref> The Palestinians accused her of undermining progress toward Mideast peace talks(the Palestinians want to see all settlements dismantled). To try and make amends and smooth over Palestinians, she issued a new statement saying the US wants [[Israel]] settlement halt forever, “We do not accept the legitimacy of settlement activity and we have a very firm belief that ending all settlement activity, current and future, would be preferable.” <ref>[http://www.jewishjournal.com/israel/article/in_cairo_clinton_clarifies_settlement_position_20091104/ In Cairo, Clinton clarifies settlement position, Jewish Journal, November 4, 2009]</ref> Most likely, her statement now angers Israelis.
[[South Africa]] is the superpower on the continent, but relations were strained with the U.S. under the country's erratic former president, Thabo Mbeki. He for example, fought against American effortt to stamp out AIDS, sugginsting the disease was a Western conspiracy. The new president, Jacob Zuma, is an unknown quantity. South Africa is in its first recession in more than a decade. With riots on the streets over his failure to deliver on promises to the country's poor, Zuma may hope to capitalize on improved relations with the United States. That bodes well for Clinton.One of the biggest splits was over Zimbabwe, where Bush wanted Mbeki to take a more pro-active role, while Mbeki wanted the United States to stay out of his tyranny.
[[Angola]] is now the top oil exporter in Africa, with the usual corrupt pattern of concentrated oil wealth, wobbly, and a 48% unemployment rate. American oil companies are active and the U.S. is providing business and military support. American support for Angola causes resentlment in the rest of Africa, where critics attack the American friendship with President José Eduardo Dos Santos, who has held power for more than 30 years. President Bush's oft-stated concern for human rights and democracy in Angola was seen by African nationalists as little more than a pretense.
====Middle East====
In November 2009, Clinton finally took a foreign policy initiative in the highly sensitive Palestine-Israeli peace process. However, she offended the Palestinians by praising Israel for offering to curb its settlement-building program in the [[West Bank]]. <ref>[http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2009/11/01/palestinians-accuse-clinton-undermining-peace-talks-shift-settlements/ Palestinians Accuse Clinton of Undermining Peace Talks With Shift on Settlements, FoxNews, November 1, 2009]</ref> The Palestinians accused her of undermining progress toward Mideast peace talks(the Palestinians want to see all settlements dismantled). To try and make amends and smooth over Palestinians, she issued a new statement saying the US wants [[Israel]] settlement halt forever, “We do not accept the legitimacy of settlement activity and we have a very firm belief that ending all settlement activity, current and future, would be preferable.” <ref>[http://www.jewishjournal.com/israel/article/in_cairo_clinton_clarifies_settlement_position_20091104/ "In Cairo, Clinton clarifies settlement position," ''Jewish Journal'', November 4, 2009]</ref>
==See Also==
==See Also==